Exclusive: West Brom register interest in manager who’s wanted by Birmingham City
West Brom have joined Birmingham City by expressing an interest in Michael Carrick, sources have told Football Insider.
Ryan Mason is under increasing pressure at the Hawthorns with the club 16th in the Championship and just six points above the relegation zone.
Sources say Carrick is on the radar of West Brom as well as their Midlands rivals Birmingham.
The Man United legend, 44, was sacked by Middlesbrough in June after they finished 10th in last season’s Championship.
Birmingham are just one place, and two points, ahead of West Brom and manager Chris Davies is also fighting for his job.
Intriguingly, both managers took over at the Midlands club after leaving their first-team coaching roles at Tottenham.
Ryan Mason fighting for his job after latest defeat
Football Insider revealed this month that West Brom are giving Mason time to restore his team’s fortunes, but Friday’s defeat was yet another blow.
The Baggies were beaten by Bristol City at The Hawthorns, with Anis Mehmeti and Ross McCrorie’s goals securing the three points for the visitors.
Ousmane Diakite struck back late on for Mason‘s side, but his goal was not enough to avert the boos that rang around the stadium at full-time.
West Brom have now lost four of their last five Championship games, and have won just three of the last 13.
The Baggies had hoped to mount a push towards the play-offs after appointing the former Tottenham coach in the summer, but they now sit closer to the relegation zone than they do to sixth-placed Bristol City.
Frustrations have continued to rise at The Hawthorns, and decision-makers are under increasing pressure to make a decision that fans are now demanding.
Michael Carrick would bring situational experience
When Middlesbrough appointed Carrick in 2022, they were in an even worse situation in the Championship.
Boro had earned just 17 points from their opening 16 games and were just one point above the drop zone.
Carrick’s impact was immediate. The former Manchester United midfielder won 16 of his first 23, and led his side to the play-offs, where they lost to Coventry City in the semi-final.
The 44-year-old’s second and third seasons did not live up to the expectations set in his first, but his sacking was not a popular decision.
Whether he could have a similar impact at West Brom, or indeed Birmingham, if a move materialises, remains to be seen.